Women's Track & Field at NCAA Championships

Simone Childs-Walker an All-American for the 11th Time

GRINNELL, Iowa – Carleton College senior Simone Childs-Walker (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside) earned her 11th career All-America citation after finishing seventh in the 5,000-meter run at the 2012 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Childs-Walker earned All-America distinction for the fourth straight year in this event as she crossed the line inside Grinnell College's Bear Recreation Center in 17:20.31.

“Coming off of a big MIAC weekend and to turn around and become an All American the very next weekend is truly impressive,” said Carleton head coach Donna Ricks. “Simone runs a very structured race plan. The race went out slow for several laps. No one wanted to take the lead, and it really opened up the possibility for a number of runners to place in the top eight. Simone's last four laps were very strong.”

Childs-Walker made her 11th NCAA Championships appearance overall, having qualified every possible time in cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field. She already ranked second all-time among Carleton women in total All-America awards to the 17 secured by swimmer Marie Marsman ’04. However, seven of Marsman’s honors came during relay events, meaning this most recent honor snapped a tie between these two titans for most individual All-America awards in Carleton history. (See chart below)

Laura Sigmund of Wartburg College was the individual champion in this year’s 5,000-meter race, posting a winning time of 17:01.82.